Montgomery County Public Safety Department provides public inquiry lines

COURTHOUSE — As Hurricane Sandy bears down on Montgomery County, residents can turn to county public safety officials for information about the hurricane.

The Montgomery County Public Safety Department announced Monday morning that staffers are manning phone lines to answer residents’ questions about the storm. Residents with questions about what is happening in their area can call 610-631-9700.

John A. Corcoran, deputy director of external affairs for the Montgomery County Public Safety Department, stressed the phone lines are for general questions, not emergencies.

“They should call 911 if they have an emergency and call their utility if they have a power outage,” Corcoran explained.

Officials provided the following phone numbers for utilities that serve Montgomery County: PECO customers can call 1-800-841-4141; PPL customers can call 1-800-342-5775; and First Energy customers can call 1-888-544-4877.

The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety stands ready to assist our first responders and our residents with whatever emergencies this storm might bring, Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro said.

“I ask everyone to heed their advice and prepare to take care of themselves and their loved ones for up to three days. That will free up resources that can be used to help anyone who may sustain severe damage if the worst happens,” Shapiro said in preparation for the storm.

The Montgomery County Public Safety Department has increased staffing in its 9-1-1 emergency call center and opened its Emergency Operations Center.

For other non-emergency storm related issues, residents are urged to contact their township or borough emergency operations center.

County officials previously announced that due to the inclement weather, the Montgomery County Courthouse will be closed Monday.